The theatre of ancient Sicyon lies in the Local Department of Vassiliko, in Sicyonion Municipality, Corinthia Prefecture.
Based on the architectural features and structure of the theatre, which comprised the stage building with the two ramps and posterior stoa, the parodoi, the retaining walls of the cavea, and the orchestra with the proedriae, and taking into account the fact that it is not incorporated into the “Hippodamean” city plan, the theatre is dated to the late 4th or early 3rd c. BC. It was restructured during the Roman period, probably after 146 BC.
The theatre of Sicyon lies at the foot of the Hellenistic acropolis, in the natural hollow of the hill, west of the ancient agora. It shares the architectural layout common to all ancient theatres. It consists of three parts: the cavea, the orchestra and the stage building.
Structurally, it combines two techniques: a) it is built using local poros stone, and b) parts of the theatre are carved out of the bedrock. The cavea, 125 m. in diameter, faces northeast. Two horizontal passageways divide it into three sections. Only part of the lowest section has been excavated, where 16 stepped corridors delimit 15 cunei.
There must have been 60 rows of seats in total. In the front row are the seats of honour (proedriae) of the priests and other city officials (rulers, generals, etc.) The proedriae, of poros stone, are throne-shaped and decorated. A characteristic feature of the theatre is the two vaulted passageways at the ends of the first section, 16 m. long, 2.55 m. wide and 2.60 m. high, which formed the main audience entrances.
The orchestra, 24.04 m. in diameter, is slightly larger than half the circumference of a perfect circle and its floor is of beaten earth. Its basic feature is its drainage system, a marvellous work of engineering. A drainage channel 1.25 m. wide and 1.00 m. deep, covered with slabs where it met each staircase, ran around the orchestra in front of the seats of honour and conveyed the rainwater into a shallow channel which crossed the orchestra, parallel to the proscenium wall. The water then ran into a third channel which crossed the orchestra at right angles and ended at a small staircase behind the set.
The stage building consists of the proscenium and the main stage, which was two storeys high and richly adorned with carvings and architectural features. Two symmetrical ramps carved into the rock led to the logeion. In the 4-metre-wide parodoi to left and right were gateways modelled on those of the theatre of Epidaurus. Behind the stage (on the northeast side) was built a Doric stoa of 13 columns, with a fountain structure at its northwest end.
In the Roman period the stage building was extended, covering part of the orchestra, and a new, low logeion (pulpitum) was built in place of the proscenium.
Apart from hosting ancient dramatic competitions, the theatre was also used as an assembly-place for the citizens of Sicyon, where political decisions were made.
The state of preservation of the excavated sections of the ancient theatre is mediocre. There is serious damage to the seats, the stage building and the west passageway.
The theatre has been used for theatrical and musical events in the past. After 2000, however, its use for performances and events was prohibited and only simple visits are allowed.
K. Kissas
Archaeologist
Published 18 November, 2014. A historical day for the ancient theatre of Sicyon, according to mayor of Sicyon, Spyros Stamatopoulos.
Ancient theatre of Sicyon
Theatre
The Theatre of Sicyon lies at the foot of the Hellenistic acropolis, in the natural hollow of the hill, west of the ancient agora. It shares the architectural layout common to all ancient theatres. It consists of three parts: the cavea, the orchestra and the stage building.
Partial photographic documentation is held in separate archives (37th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, photographic archive of Sicyon Museum), while there are also aerial photographs. The ancient theatre was drawn by topographic engineer Michalis Gelis as part of his thesis at the National Technical University of Athens, at the recommendation of the 37th Ephorate. Separate plans and drawings of the orchestra, stage building, parodoi and part of the cavea are included in the publications on the monument.
A 3-D model of the Theatre is in preparation (laser scanning).
1. Fossum, a. 1905 “The theater at Sikyon”, AJA 9, p.263-276
2. Griffin, a.1982. Sikyon. Oxford.
3.ΥΠΠΟ, ΔΑΑΜ 2004, Τεχνική Έκθεση θεάτρου Σικυώνας.
Agora of ancient Sicyon, in the Local Department of Vassiliko (ancient Sicyon), Sicyonion Municipality, Corinthia Prefecture.
Based on the architectural features and structure of the theatre, which comprised the stage building with the two ramps and posterior stoa, the parodoi, the retaining walls of the cavea, and the orchestra with the proedriae, and taking into account the fact that it is not incorporated into the “Hippodamean” city plan, the theatre is dated to the late 4th or early 3rd c. BC. It was restructured during the Roman period, probably after 146 BC.
The theatre of Sicyon lies at the foot of the Hellenistic acropolis, in the natural hollow of the hill, west of the ancient agora. It shares the architectural layout common to all ancient theatres. It consists of three parts: the cavea, the orchestra and the stage building.
Structurally, it combines two techniques: a) it is built using local poros stone, and b) parts of the theatre are carved out of the bedrock. The cavea, 125 m. in diameter, faces northeast. Two horizontal passageways divide it into three sections. Only part of the lowest section has been excavated, where 16 stepped corridors delimit 15 cunei. There must have been 60 rows of seats in total. In the front row are the seats of honour (proedriae) of the priests and other city officials (rulers, generals, etc.). The proedriae, of poros stone, are throne-shaped and decorated.
A characteristic feature of the theatre is the two vaulted passageways at the ends of the first section, 16 m. long, 2.55 m. wide and 2.60 m. high, which formed the main audience entrances. The orchestra, 24.04 m. in diameter, is slightly larger than half the circumference of a perfect circle and its floor is of beaten earth. Its basic feature is its drainage system, a marvellous work of engineering. A drainage channel 1.25 m. wide and 1.00 m. deep, covered with slabs where it met each staircase, ran around the orchestra in front of the seats of honour and conveyed the rainwater into a shallow channel which crossed the orchestra, parallel to the proscenium wall. The water then ran into a third channel which crossed the orchestra at right angles and ended at a small staircase behind the set. The stage building consists of the proscenium and the main stage, which was two storeys high and richly adorned with carvings and architectural features.
Two symmetrical ramps carved into the rock led to the logeion. In the 4-metre-wide parodoi to left and right were gateways modelled on those of the theatre of Epidaurus. Behind the stage (on the northeast side) was built a Doric stoa of 13 columns, with a fountain structure at its northwest end. In the Roman period the stage building was extended, covering part of the orchestra, and a new, low logeion (pulpitum) was built in place of the proscenium.
Apart from hosting ancient dramatic competitions, the theatre was also used as an assembly-place for the citizens of Sicyon, where political decisions were made.
The state of preservation of the excavated sections of the ancient theatre is mediocre. There is serious damage to the seats, the stage building and the west passageway.
The excavated section of the theatre (stage building, orchestra and cavea) was revealed by the excavations of the American School of Classical Studies from 1886 to 1898, while other works and the excavation of part of the cavea were carried out by the Archaeological Society at Athens in 1952 and 1982. In 2006-2007, with funding from the 3rd Community Support Fund, and under self-supervision, the 37th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities carried out restoration work on the east vaulted passageway of the ancient theatre, while the west vaulted passageway was temporarily shored up.
By decision ΥΠΠΟ/ΑΡΧ/Α1/Φ42/6145/330/19-4-2000 of the Ministry of Culture and as part of a list of theatres, the use of the ancient theatre of Sicyon for performances and events was prohibited.
The theatre has been used in the past, prior to 2000, for theatrical and musical events by Athenian theatre groups, and particularly local school theatre groups and the Sikyonia Theatriki Skene (Sicyonian Stage).
The monument belongs to the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Service responsible for Corinth Prefecture.
37.984139°
22.710575°
| Name | Date | Amount (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Christina Liaki | 100.00 | |
| Nikolaos Moschidis | 100.00 | |
| Mary Dimou | 200.00 | |
| Maria Fotopoulou - Karabetsou | 300.00 | |
| Dimitra Portokalli | 300.00 | |
| Lyceum Club of Greek Women (Kiato) | 1.000.00 | |
| Andreas and Paraskevi Chasoura in memory of Diomidis Pan. Chasoura | 1.000.00 | |
| Ephorate of the Ancient Theatre of Sicyon (Lyceum Club of Greek Women, Kiato) | 8.950.00 | |
| 1st Secondary School of Vari | 50.00 |
| Expenditure | Date | Amount (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Theatre of Sykion ΜΕΛΕΤΗ ΑΠΟΚΑΤΑΣΤΑΣΗΣ ΑΡΧΑΙΟΥ ΘΕΑΤΡΟΥ | 12.914.40 |
| Description | Budget | Target | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Revelation, Protection and Promotion of the ancient theater of Sicyon." | 200.000.00 | The amount was disbursed after a Programmatic Agreement signed between the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Region of Peloponnese and the Municipality of Sikyona. | |
| Additional Operations | 15.000.00 | 15.000.00 | The amount will be collected by donations. |
Phase A
